Coupling assembly

ABSTRACT

A coupling assembly comprising in combination a support standard having a channel defined therein having opposing faces on the sides thereof, each of the faces of the channel have longitudinally extending grooves defined thereupon on either side of a pocket portion disposed therewithin; an intermediate member or connector means attachable to an article to be supported thereby and having an opening defined therethrough which extends axially of the supported article; and a bolt which extends through said opening in said intermediate member into said channel in said support standard and obtains locking engagement within said channel whereupon said standard, said intermediate member and said bolt are integrally joined to support said article. The locking engagement is obtained either by the coaction of the grooves with a threaded bolt or by the coaction of the pockets with a special end portion of a bolt.

United states Patent 119] She [11] 3,794,282 Feb. 26, 1974 COUPLINGASSEMBLY Primary ExaminerWilliam H. Schultz Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Richard R. Mybeck port standard having a channel defined thereinhaving opposing faces on the sides thereof, each of the faces of thechannel have longitudinally extending grooves defined thereupon oneither side of a pocket portion disposed therewithin; an intermediatemember or connector means attachable to an article to be supportedthereby and having an opening defined therethrough which extends axiallyof the supported article; and a bolt which extends through said openingin said intermediate member into said channel in said support standardand obtains locking engagement within said channel whereupon ,fsaidstandard, said intermediate member and said bolt are integrally joinedto support said article. The locking engagement is obtained either bythe coaction of the grooves with a threaded bolt or by the coaction ofthe pocketswith a special end portion of a bolt.

3 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures COUPLING ASSEMBLY DESCRIPTION OF INVENTIONv This invention relates generally to coupling systems for shelving andpartitions and more particularly to a novel system of connecting memberssuch as shelves, partitions and the like with specially designed freestanding or wall mounted uprights whereupon desired assemblies arequickly and easily created with a minimum of labor and none of thetedium of alignment inherent in many of the prior art structures.

Means for connecting a variety of members to each other to create anassemblyof predetermined shape and size such as book shelves, roompartitions and the like, are broadly old in the art but as will appear,none have obtained all of the many advantages available from theassembly of the present invention which further substantially eliminatesall of the problems and annoyances which have inherently accompanied theprior art devices.

Representative prior art devices are described in U.S.

Pat. Nos. 2,674,431, Apr. 6, 1954, A-ttwood; 2,696,139, Dec. 7, 1,954,Attwood; Re. 24,133, Mar. 20, 1966 Bloedow; 3,139,960, July 7,I964Hammitt et al.; and 3,564,666, Feb. 23, 1971, Dold.

A consideration'of each of the'prior art disclosures will clearly revealthat while certain needs were indeed fulfilled by each of the structuresthey define, major problems remained unsatisfied. It is to the solutionof those problems that the present inventionis directed.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toprovide new and improved means for connecting members such as shelfbrackets, partitions and the like with specially designed free standingor wall mounted uprights in a manner which permits desired assemblies tobe quickly and easily created with a minimum of labor and none of thetedium 'of alighment heretofore inherentin such structures.

Another object ofthe present invention is to provide a coupling systemfor shelf brackets, partitions and the like which eliminates the need toalign the slots in a plurality of uprights while obtaining a structurewhich is quickly, easily and accurately leveled.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved coupling system especially suited for mounting level shelvingto vertically disposed outwardly from standards l6.

standards irrespective of the condition of level of the floors and wallsin the room where such system is used.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system forconnecting bracket supported shelves to upstanding standards wherein anydegree of tilt may be provided such shelf without materially alteringthe assembly used.

, to said standard.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedcoupling system in which a specially designed standard is provided withoptional locking emans comprising a central channel having a plural:

ity of axially extending grooves defined therein on opposed facesthereof, the grooves on each face being disposed in two groupscontiguous with an intermediate pocket disposed in substantial registrywith the corresponding pocket of the other face, said grooves coactingwith a threaded bolt and said pockets coacting with a turn bolt toprovide locking means to secure a connector member to the standard.

These and still other objects as shall hereinafter appear are readilyfulfilled bythe present invention in a remarkably unexpected fashion asshall be readily discerned from a careful consideration of'the followingdetailed description of exemplary embodiments of my invention,especially when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawingwherein like' reference numerals identify similar parts throughout theseveral views and in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a book shelf embodying the assembly ofthe present invention;

FIG.'2 is an exploded showing, partially broken away, of an assemblyembodying the present invention;

FIG. 3 is fragmentary side elevations, partially in section, showing aconnecting assembly embodying the present invention; i

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along line lV- -lV of FIG. 3; I

FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the relationship between oneconnector'member of the assembly and a partition; v I I FIG. 6 is a planview of a vertical standard of multidirectional extenders showing analternate embodiment of the present invention; I FIG. 7' is an explodedisometric view of an alternate connector means embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of still another connector means embodyingthe present invention;

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, one embodiment of the novelconnecting assembly of the present invention, identified by the-generalreference numeral 10, is shown in the highly useful'se ttingto mount, aplurality of book shelves 12 resting on brackets 14 which extendAs-shown in FIGS. 24, each assembly 10 is created by the coaction ofstandard 16 with a connector means 18 and a bolt 20.

In a preferred embodiment of my invention, standard 16 has a centralchannel 17 defined therewithin which channel is provided with opposingfaces 19, 21 each having an inner portion 22 and an outer portion 23upon which a plurality of longitudinally extending substantiallyparallel grooves 24 are defined. Portions 22 and 23 are separated byintermediate portion 26 herein called a pocket upon which no grooves aredefined.

The space between opposite portions 22 of faces 19, 21 is defined toreceive and hold securely therewithin the threaded portion 28 of bolt 20which, in assembly,

passes through the opening 30 defined in connector means 18 to completethe assembly.

Connector means 18 is connectable, in a manner to be hereinafierdescribed in detail, to shelf support brackets (shown as 14in FIGS. 1-3)or to'a convenient v partition (shown at 32 in FIGS. 517-9).

When the structural memberbeing secured by the assembly is of a metallicorigin, intermediate member that is, connector means 18 can be quicklyand easily fastened thereto as by welding, soldering or brazing. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2, connector means 18 is formed as arectangularmember having opening 30 defined in the upper half thereofand having a lower half comprising a depending portion 33 and a flangeportion 34, the flange portion 34 being disposed generally normal to thedepending portion 33 and presenting a flat surface 35 which can bereadily fused to the fusible bracket 14. Suitable mechanical fastenerssuch as a rivet can also be employed when desired.

Alternatively, connector means 18 can be formed as shown in FIG. whereindepending portion 33 and flange portion 34 are coplanar and separated bya slot 36 having a width adequate to receive the thickness of thefusible partition 32. In this arrangement, the connector means 18 isbonded to the partition 32 along the inner edges 37, 38 of portions 33,34 respectively.

When the structural member to be so joined to connector means 18 isnon-metallic such as plaster board, wood and the like, the intermediatemember 18 is suitably secured to the supportedmember e.g., partition 32by any such means as are represented by FIGS. 7-9.

For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, connector means 18 can be formedhaving an upper loop defining opening 30 and two depending L-shaped arms41, 42. Each arm, for example, arm 41, in the base of the L is providedwith a first and a second portion cooperative with the correspondingportion on the other arm 42 to provide a connector. Thus arm 41 can beprovided with female couplers 43,44 and arm 42 can be provided with malecouplers 45,46 which when forced into coupler 43,44 will snap intoplace. When this embodiment is used, a first and second opening 47,48 isdrilled or otherwise defined in partition 32 and one coupler set, e.g.,43-45, operates through opening 47 and the other, e.g., 44-46, operatethrough opening 48 whereupon connector means l8'is secured to thesupported member 32.

Another connector means 18 useful in the practice of the presentinvention when non-fusible partitions 32 or brackets 14 are to besupported is shown in FIG. 8. Here the connector means 18 comprises asingle strand of suitable material such as metal formed to have an upperloop which defines opening 30 and a depending loop 51 which passesthrough a single opening 52 defined in the partition 32 to hold thepartition relative to opening 30. I

A further connector means 18 found useful in certain installations isprovided by the S shaped member illustrated in FIG. 9 which providesboth the opening 30 with the uppercurve 53 of the S andthe memberengaging means with the lower curve 54 of the S by passing curve 54through the opening 55 defined through partition 32.

The locking relationship in my assembly can be obtained by utilizing oneof two systems which I have designed in and for my standard. Thus, asshown in FIGS.

l-4, the threaded portion 28 of bolt 20 lockingly engages the grooves 24defined in the central channel 17 of standard 16 to secure connectormeans 18 to the standard and hold the supported member in place.

A variant, shown in FIG. 6, employsanon-thr'eaded bolt 60 having a shortshank portion 61 and an elongated end portion 62 extending transverselyof said nails and the like.

shank portion 61. End portion 62 is provided with a width which isnarrower than the space between portions 23 and a length which issubstantially greater so that when end portion 62 is disposed parallelto faces 19, 21 and inserted into channel 17, it canbe rotatedapproximately 90 to lock the respective tips of end portion 62 in eachof the pockets 26, 26. In this manner, a connector means 18, disposed onshank 61 by passing end portion 62 through opening 30, is firmly securedto bracket 16 as is the member, such as partition 32, which is supportedthereby.

A description of an exemplary installation using bookshelves asrepresentative and employing my-in'vention will now be presented toassist in the understanding of its function and to enhance theappreciation of its many advantages and conveniences.

To assemble the representative structure, such as the bookshelves shownin FIG. 1, a plurality of standards 16 manufactured in accordance withmy description are bolted to the selected supporting surfacesuch as thewall illustrated at 11.

With the present invention, it is no longer essential for utility toexactly align each of the standards 16 to assure that each (I) isexactly'parallel with everyother and (2) that each of the slots disposedtherein are in horizontal alignment with the corresponding slots of eachother standard. Instead, the standards of this invention are justmounted, quickly and easily, in any suitable fashion as with woodscrews, molly fasteners,

Next, any conventional shelving bracket 14 is obtained and to it issecured intermediate member 18 as by spot welding or the like. Withflange 35 secured to the side of the bracket 14in spaced relationship tothat end 15 of the bracket which, as will appear, is insertable withinchannel 17, the supported member or bracket 14 and connector means 18form a unit.

When each bracket 14, having a connector means 18 suitably attached asdescribed, bracket end 15 is inserted into channel 17 and .a suitablebolt 20 having a diameter slightly smaller than the space defined byportions 23 and slightly larger than the space defined by portions 22-is passed through opening 30 and into channel 17 and turned so that thethreads 28 of bolt 20 engage the grooves 24 defined on portions 22 ofchannel faces 20,21 until intermediate member 18 tightly engagesstandard 16 in abutting relationship thereto.

The same procedure is followed with respect to each of the otherbrackets 14 employed to support a shelf 12 and only in the installationof these subsequent brackets is care required to level'the shelf andthen only to the extent that each bracket 14 should be horizontallyaligned with the corresponding bracket assemblyon the adjacent standard.It should benoted, however, the alignment obtained can occuron anysegment of the entire height of the upright standard.

The foregoing porcedure is followed as many times as may be needed toprovide the desired number of shelves of whatever length is wanted.

When the supported member is a partition 32 which is fusible, that is,is capable of being spot welded with or riveted to connector means 18,the aforedescribed procedure of securing the partition-connector meanssub-assembly to the bracket can be followed by passing bolt 20 throughopening 30 and engaging grooves 24 with bolt threads 28.

If the supported member is a non-fusible partition 32, then alternativeconnector means 18 as shown in FIGS. 7-9 may be employed. It is ofcourse understood that these connector means 18 can also be used withfusible partitions when the circumstances warrant.

To use the non-fused connector means 18, a suitable opening, such asopening 52 in FIG. 8 or 55 in FIG. 9, or openings 47,48 in FIG. 7, aredrilled into partition 32 at the appropriate location and the connectormeans 18 are attached thereto in the following manner.

As shown in FIG. 7, couplers 43,44 are respectively engaged by couplers45,46 passing through openingsv 47, 48 and the sub-assembly is securedto standard 16 in the manner already described wherein bolt passesthrough opening 30 and is threadly engaged by grooves 24 Similarly, asshown in FIG. 8, lower loop 51 is guided through opening 52 and thesub-assembly secured to the standard 16 by passing bolt 20 throughopening 30 in the manner described.

With the embodiment of FIG.'9, the lower curve 54 of connector means 18is passed through opening 55 of partition 32 and the resultingsub-assembly is secured to the standard by passing bolt 20 throughopening 30 to engage grooves 24 with threads 28.

In still another embodiment of my invention, each of thevarious'connector means supported member subassemblies can besatisfactorily attached to standard 16 by using a non-threaded bolt 60having a short shank portion 61 and an elongated end portion 62extending transversely of shank portion 61 as shown inFIG. 6. The endportion 62 is aligned with pockets 26 on either side thereof whereuponbolt 60 is rotated approximately 90 and the tips of end portion 62 enterone of said pockets 26 to secure the sub-assembly to the standard l6.

From the foregoing it becomes apparent that the bracket, intermediatemember and boltcooperate to define an assembly which can readily beemployed to easily and quickly install any type of commerciallyavailable shelves and brackets with a substantial reduction in the timeand effort required to complete the job.

weighted base member (not shown) to create modular mounted to a singlesupport standard to create a plurality of walls. Of course, while a fourdirectional standard is shown, a two and three directional standard canalso be used employing the linkage described in my previous U.S Pat. No.3,555,715 which issued Jan. 19,-

From the foregoing, it becomes apparent that a new and improved couplingassembly has been herein dethereupon and a pocket portion disposedtherewithin;

It is of course understood that while the invention is illustrated withrespect to wall mounted standards, it is likewise readily employed withfree standing standards, suspended standards or any other standardwhichcan be maintained in a relatively stationary position.

The assemblage is also well adapted for use with free standing standardsor uprights 'which are set in a scribed and illustrated which fulfillsall of the aforestated objectives in a remarkably unexpected fashion. Itis, of course, understood that such alterations, modifications andadaptations as may readily occur to the artisan when confronted withthis disclosure are intended to be embraced within the spirit of thepresent invention which is limited only by the scope of the claimsappended hereto.

What is claimed is:

l. A coupling assembly comprising in combination a support standardhaving a channel defined therein having opposing faces on the sidesthereof, each of said faces having longitudinally extending groovesdefined an intermediate member attachable to an article to be supportedthereby and having an opening defined therethrough extending axially ofsaid article, said intermediate member comprising a plate having anupper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion having saidopening defined therein, said lower portion being slotted to receivesaid supported article therewithin; and a bolt extending through saidopening in said intermediate member into said channel in said supportstan-.

dard. for locking engagement within said channel whereupon saidstandard, said intermediate member and said bolt are integrally joinedto support said article.

2. A coupling assembly according to claim I in which said bolt has athreaded shank for locking engagement within said grooves in saidchannel.

. 3. A coupling assembly according to claim 1 in which said bolt hasshank portion and and elongated end portion which in a first positionis-insertable in said channel and which when rotated about 90 to asecond position enters into said pocket portions for locking engagementtherewith.

1. A coupling assembly comprising in combination a support standardhaving a channel defined therein having opposing faces on the sidesthereof, each of said faces having longitudinally extending groovesdefined thereupon and a pocket portion disposed therewithin; anintermediate member attachable to an article to be supported thereby andhaving an opening defined therethrough extending axially of saidarticle, said intermediate member comprising a plate having an upperportion and a lower portion, said upper portion having said openingdefined therein, said lower portion being slotted to receive saidsupported article therewithin; and a bolt extending through said openingin said intermediate member into said channel in said support standardfor locking engagement within said channel whereupon said standard, saidintermediate member and said bolt are integrally joined to support saidarticle.
 2. A coupling assembly according to claim 1 in which said bolthas a threaded shank for locking engagement within said grooves in saidchannel.
 3. A coupling assembly according to claim 1 in which said bolthas shank portion and and elongated end portion which in a firstposition is insertable in said channel and which when rotated about 90*to a second position enters into said pocket portions for lockingengagement therewith.